Best Cabin Tent in 2018

This tent has a base of 14 by 10 feet, and the center height is 6 feet and 5 inches. It uses the standard integrated pop-up design unique to Coleman, allowing for easy setup. You just need to unfold the tent, extend and secure the poles.

It also features Coleman's WeatherTec system, which includes their patented welded flooring and inverted seams to keep water out in rainy weather.

Pros

The WeatherTec system is effective in keeping the inside dry in moderate rain.

Spacious and easy to set up. It’s ideal for car camping and other times that doesn’t need carrying around for long periods.

Two doors.

Setting up the tent as simple as they are advertised. Just unfold the tent and extend the poles until they lock in place.

Cons

It’s a little too bulky for one person to carry comfortably.

The rods are a little flimsy alone, so you will always need to use the guy lines to hold the tent down.

This 17 by 10 feet tent with a 6-foot maximum height can accommodate about eight campers. Room dividers enable you to create three separate rooms. Like the other Coleman tents on this list, this tent features the WeatherTec System that guarantees you a dry night, even in moderate rain.

Pros

There’s only one exit, but the location allows for pretty smooth traffic.

Quite cozy for eight people. You can fit three queen-sized airbeds. You can also put up the dividers to make three rooms if you want the privacy. This is ideal for family campers.

Cons

Setting up is not as simple as the instant tents. Easier to set up with at least two people, and it takes at least 20 minutes to do so.

The screen windows do not have a covering to prevent the wind, so it gets chilly at night.

The odd one in the bunch, the only non-Coleman tent, is the Wenzel 8-Person Klondike Tent. This tent uses polyester with a coating of polyurethane for weather resistance. It measures 16 by 11 feet, with a maximum height of 6.5 feet.

The tent has a division that separates the main room from the screened room, which can function as a second room or a sun room. You can opt for a full mesh roof, or add on the detachable rainfly.

Pros

Eight people can sleep comfortably, with some wiggle room.

Ideal for car camping, but not for backpacking.

It’s very breezy, with all the mesh openings, and 6-foot high ceiling. The mesh openings also allow you to enjoy your view when you want to.

Cons

Setting up can be stressful at first, but you will eventually get used to where the poles go. A person can set it up in about 20 minutes.

The top covering cannot withstand torrential rains.

With only one exit, entering and exiting can be bothersome. At night, you might have to walk over your tent-mates to get out.

This tent is one of the best. Otherwise, it would not have become the proper shelter of the National Park Foundation. It has two rooms to fit six people comfortably in the 17 by 9 square foot area.

The peak height is 6 feet and 10 inches which offer a comfortable standing room and improves air circulation. It also features Coleman's Polyguard fabric, which is their a coated polyester.

This tent also features Coleman's WeatherTec system, which is a patented welded floor and seams that are inverted for extra protection from rain. It also comes with a separate rainfly for extra protection.

Pros

This tent is ideal for family car camping, multi-day camping excursions, and scout leaders.

There are two doors with Coleman's patent-pending hinged doors. The hinges make going in and out easier, and allow for better foot traffic.

You can fit two queen-sized beds in it.

Steel poles provide strong support.

Cons

It gets dark or when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Packing away the tent is also time-consuming.

The whole tent is too heavy to lug around. It’s ideal for car camping where there is little need for carrying around.

Cabin Tent Buyer’s Guide

Cabin tents have almost vertical walls and offer more livable space than dome type tents. Some even have room dividers. But just like any other tent, there are still other considerations you have to make when choosing a cabin tent.

Sleep Capacity​

​Probably one of the first things you’ll want to decide is the size of the tent. You want to have enough comfortable space to relax in, as well as keep some of your gear in. Some tents have a capacity of up to eight people, but remember that those are not always reliable because people come in different shapes and sizes.

You should also consider if you want just one large tent or two or smaller tents. The advantage of a smaller tent is that you can use them for personal camping trips. If you only had a large one, it’d be too difficult to bring for a personal journey.

Weather Resistance​

What kind of weather do you usually camp in? Tents come in different types of weather resistance, but most are either 3-season or 4-season. Look into how water-resistant a tent is from the top, as well as the walls and the flooring.

A three-season tent has more mesh fabric to improve ventilation. They're good for spring, summer, and fall. They can keep you dry in rain and light snow, and keep bugs out.

A 4-season tent has a solid fabric, which you can use for winter. This type can withstand stronger winds and more snow loads than a three-season tent. They’re not ideal for mild weather as it can get warm inside.

​Tent Poles

​Part of what makes a tent weather-resistant and durable are the poles that support it. You want the tent poles to be strong and light. The common types of tent poles are aluminum, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and steel. These types can also come in different grades or strengths.

Aluminum poles are the lightest types of poles. They work well in different terrains and can withstand heavy impact. They are quite common in mid-range to high-end kind of tents, mostly small dome and tunnel types.

Carbon fiber is another type of pole that can withstand heavy impacts. They are flexible, strong, and doesn't corrode like aluminum does. They’re also a bit more expensive.

Fiberglass is the cheapest tent pole option for tents. For the price, you get lightweight poles, but not as durable as aluminum or carbon fiber. They're not ideal for camping and multi-weather tents, but they are good enough for backyard tents. Another disadvantage of fiberglass poles is that they crack easily under pressure and deteriorate faster.

Steel poles are strongest and most durable, but also the heaviest type of poles. On the other hand, they are inflexible, so they're not good for dome tents. They are mainly used for large and heavy tents. Since they are quite heavy, they are not suitable for backpacking, but they're excellent for car camping.

​Tent Material

Another factor that affects the durability of a tent is the fabric it uses. Most fabrics get coating treatment to make it water resistant or waterproof. The common types of tent fabric are Nylon, Ripstop nylon, and polyester.

​Nylon

The great thing about nylon is that it is very lightweight because it doesn't absorb water. If it is uncoated, it is water-resistant. However, water can still pass through the gaps. Nylon can be easily waterproofed with coatings of polyurethane. This coating can seal out most water, making the tent weatherproof.

Ripstop Nylon​

Ripstop nylon is almost like regular nylon, but with a heavy fiber woven into the nylon. What it does is it prevents tears from traveling.

Polyester​

Polyester is a lot like nylon; only it has better UV resistance. They're also heavier than plastic.

Ease of Use​

Pitching a tent should not take too much time so you can use them for more fun activities. That's why you should know how easy it is to set up as well as pack away, and how many are doing it. Consider instant tents, which are easy to set up because of the internal pole system.

Depending on the brand or the manufacturer, setting up can be as easy as unfolding the tent and extending the poles.

​Other Features

Doors​

When choosing a cabin tent, consider how many doors you want and where you want them to be. For families or big groups, many doors allow you to enter and exit with minimal crossing over each other. Most cabin tents have many doors.

​Rainfly

A rainfly is a waterproof cover that you can remove or attach to the roof of your tent. There are also rainflies that offer full coverage of the tent for maximum protection.

Vestibules/Garages​

When you can attach extensions or awnings to your tent, you can use it for sheltering shoes from rain. That way you don't have to bring them inside the tent.

Interior Loops And Pockets​

You'll need a loop in your tent to attach a lantern. Interior pockets on the side of the tent walls can help you keep your tent organized. You can keep small items off the floor and put them in the pockets.

​Conclusion

Choosing the perfect cabin tent requires a lot of consideration, especially because you want to get the best of what you pay for. Cabin tents are large types of tents; ideal for families or groups of at least four. They’re not perfect for backpacking. They are ideal, however, for car camping where carrying and transporting isn’t so necessary.

When choosing a cabin tent, remember to look for durability and strength in the poles. You should also choose a fabric material that suits your camping needs, preferably suitable for the weather you’re camping.

The best one for me would have to be the Coleman 8-Person Instant Tent. For family car camping, it serves its purpose very well in providing shelter, warm, and protection from rain. It’s also easy to use. The tent also comes in smaller sizes, should you prefer a smaller one.

Any of the tents on this list are pretty good. The choice is ultimately yours. However, remember to consider how many people you want it to fit. To help you further with your decision, list down the features you want and try to tick them off as you go.

I also recommend you to at least find a shop where you can see and test the tent in person before you purchase online.​

Louise Brown

Hi buddy! I’m Louise. As a lover of the outdoors, crafting a blog about traveling and adventure is a bit of a stretch for me. I truly love to be outside, so getting in front of the computer takes me away from my passion. But, it’s important for me to share what I love so others can get out and appreciate the outdoors, too.

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